Cards almost steal triple play

Around the horn

The St. Louis Cardinals nearly got credit for a triple play in the sixth inning Sunday, although only two Houston Astros runners were retired.

With the bases loaded, third baseman Scott Rolen made a backhanded, short-hop stop of pinch-hitter Craig Biggio’s low liner. Rolen stepped on third for a force and his throw to first beat Biggio, and first base umpire Angel Hernandez, thinking the liner had been caught, signaled a third out when Albert Pujols tagged Willy Taveras while he was standing on the bag.

The Cardinals left the field for several minutes while Astros manager Phil Garner argued the call, but eventually were waved back on with St. Louis leading 8-5.

The next batter, Adam Everett, grounded into an inning-ending force play.

Dodgers activate Penny

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Brad Penny was activated from the disabled list before his scheduled start against the Colorado Rockies.

Penny had been on the DL since opening day with a nerve injury to his right biceps. He hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 22 last year.

To make room for Penny, the Dodgers placed right-hander Elmer Dessens on the 15-day DL because of a bone spur in his pitching shoulder.

Manager Jim Tracy said LHP Wilson Alvarez will join the team in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

•Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones left the Braves’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a bruised left foot.

X-rays were negative and Jones was day to day. His status is uncertain for Atlanta’s three-game series at the New York Mets, which begins today.

Wilson Betemit replaced Jones at third base in the fourth inning.

Jones was celebrating his 33rd birthday Sunday.

•Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets was released from a Houston hospital Saturday after spending two nights there being treated for an inflamed inner ear.

He flew to St. Louis to rejoin the team but will not make his scheduled start today.

Wes Obermueller will make a spot start in his place.

Associated Press